Hamas and PA Warn of Israel Moves to Seize West Bank Land
Ramallah and Gaza condemn Israeli reclassification of occupied territory as “state land,” urging urgent international intervention
Occupied Palestine | PUREWILAYAH.COM — The Palestinian presidency and the resistance movement Hamas have issued strong warnings that Israel’s latest decision to reclassify large swathes of the occupied West Bank as so-called “state property” constitutes a de facto annexation of Palestinian land and a grave escalation of settlement colonialism.
PA: Annexation by Administrative Decree
The presidency of the Palestinian Authority said on Sunday that Israel’s move amounts to an illegal annexation carried out through administrative mechanisms rather than formal declaration.
In an official statement, the presidency warned that the decision paves the way for permanent Israeli control over occupied territory and called on the international community—particularly the United Nations Security Council and the United States—to intervene immediately to halt what it described as dangerous and unlawful Israeli measures.
Hamas: Settlement Judaization Will Not Pass
Hamas condemned the Israeli decision as null and void, stressing that the occupation has no legal authority over Palestinian land. The movement said the measure aims to impose “settlement-based Judaization realities” across the West Bank.
The group urged the United Nations and international actors to assume their legal and moral responsibilities, warning that the move will accelerate illegal settlement expansion and deepen Israeli colonial entrenchment.
Hamas further reaffirmed that the Palestinian people will continue resisting all attempts to impose annexation, Judaization, and forced displacement throughout the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Cabinet Advances Land Seizure Plan
Earlier Sunday, Israel’s cabinet approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property,” marking the first such move since the occupation began in 1967.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the plan was advanced by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, alongside so-called Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Security Minister Israel Katz.
According to the Israeli daily Israel Hayom, the stated objective is the gradual settlement of 15 percent of Area C by 2030, underscoring the long-term annexation agenda.
Area C at the Center of Annexation Drive
Under the Oslo II Accord, the West Bank was divided into Areas A, B, and C. Area A falls under Palestinian control, Area B under Palestinian civil administration with Israeli security oversight, while Area C—comprising roughly 61 percent of the West Bank—remains under full Israeli control.
The current decision squarely targets Area C, where the vast majority of illegal Israeli settlements are located, consolidating Israeli domination over land, resources, and movement.
Broader Settlement Escalation Across the West Bank
The land registration decision follows a series of measures approved last week by Israel’s security cabinet to expand settlements and tighten control over the occupied territory.
Israeli media reported these steps include repealing restrictions on land sales to settlers, unsealing land ownership records, and transferring planning and construction authority in a settlement bloc near al-Khalil from a Palestinian municipality to Israel’s civil administration.
These measures come amid intensified Israeli military operations across the West Bank, including in occupied al-Quds, following Israel’s assault on Gaza beginning in October 2023.
International Law Ignored
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and eastern al-Quds.
Israel’s latest move to formalize land seizure in Area C directly defies that ruling, further exposing the collapse of Western claims to uphold international law when Israeli interests are involved.
As Tel Aviv accelerates facts on the ground under Western protection, Palestinians warn that the window to prevent formal annexation is rapidly closing—unless decisive international action is taken. (PW)